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We are so excited to join the ladies at Rockstar Book Tours and all the other awesome bloggers in the tour for upcoming release My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp. Today we have a really fun interview and a giveaway for you guys!

You say it was all meant to be. You and me. The way we met. Our secrets in the woods. Even the way it all exploded. It was simply a matter of fate.Maybe if you were here to tell me again, to explain it one more time, then maybe I wouldn’t feel so uncertain. But I’m going back to the beginning on my own. To see what happened and why.Luisa “Lulu” Mendez has just finished her final year of high school in a small Virginia town, determined to move on and leave her job at the local junkyard behind. So when her father loses her college tuition money, Lulu needs a new ticket out.Desperate for funds, she cooks up the (definitely illegal) plan to make and sell moonshine with her friends, Roni and Bucky. Quickly realizing they’re out of their depth, Lulu turns to Mason: a local boy who’s always seemed like a dead end. As Mason guides Lulu through the secret world of moonshine, it looks like her plan might actually work. But can she leave town before she loses everything – including her heart?The summer walks the line between toxic and intoxicating. My Best Everything is Lulu’s letter to Mason – though is it an apology, a good-bye, or a love letter?

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INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Q: What was your inspiration for this story (the setting, the moonshine, etc)?A: The setting of My Best Everything looks a little bit like the town in Virginia where I lived during my teen years. It’s a beautiful place and I did plenty of exploring when I lived there. I rode inner tubes down the river, hiked and camped in the woods, and spent hours driving on all the many back roads.As for the actual story, several ideas came together. It was always going to be a love story, and it was always going to be about drinking. The junkyard scenes were thanks to my son’s obsession with cars and taking things apart. I already had plenty of references to moonshine within the text, but it wasn’t until my kids watched Moonshiners on Discovery Channel and asked me if that’s what it was really like in Virginia that I started to wonder if my teen characters could pull that off.I’ve decided that writing a novel is little bit like making moonshine. A bunch of ingredients are thrown into the pot and start fermenting. It gets kind of messy for a while, and things are thrown out, but eventually all of it works together to create the final product.

Q: Is there a particular message that you'd like your readers to walk away with or do you simply want them to sit back and enjoy a story?A: When it comes to life, I have no answers, only questions! I think one of the most magical things about reading is that it’s a cooperative endeavor. The reader and the writer meet halfway, with each of them bringing something different to the experience. My greatest hope is that my readers finish my story and feel as though that was time well spent.But… I also hope they ask more questions—about destiny, true love, crossing lines and breaking rules.

Q: Did you learn anything from writing this book?A: I didn't know a lot about moonshine before writing My Best Everything. Pretty much everything beyond the tasting of it was all new to me. But the thing that truly surprised me was the importance and power of yeast to the process. I am now a bit of a yeast-geek!Yeast is one of the deciding factors in a liquor’s taste and alcohol strength. Although these tiny microorganisms live all over the world, even on Antarctica, each strain has its own DNA and is regularly changing and evolving. Professional distillers have patents on their individual yeast strains and work hard to keep them from mutating significantly enough to change the taste.Before moonshiners understood the science of the process, they sometimes had a fermenting stick that they used for each batch. They didn’t know why it worked, but they knew that stick made all the difference. The secret ingredient was the yeast that lived on it. The yeast would lie dormant all winter, and then come back to life when it was time to start making moonshine again in the spring.

Q: Besides writing, do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?A: I love free time! Unfortunately, I never seem to have enough of it! I love being outdoors, which in San Diego is a year-round possibility. I love camping and taking long walks. I watch my kids play sports. I’m a big fan of the beach where I am very good at lying on a towel and daydreaming. I also love to play with messy art supplies.

Q: Which author(s) would you consider a mentor or role model?A: In some ways, every author I’ve ever read a book by is my mentor. Reading is such a fundamental key to writing! However, more specifically, I was taught by some amazing and generous authors through Vermont College of Fine Arts where I earned my MFA. I worked closely with Ellen Howard, Kathi Appelt, Tim Wynne-Jones and Rita Williams-Garcia. After graduation, I was also lucky enough to work directly with Margaret Bechard during an amazing and intimate retreat. Her brilliant guidance and insights were crucial to shaping Lulu’s story.

Q: Any fun and exciting news you'd like to share with your readers?A: I’m just so delighted to have been a guest on your blog! Thank you for having me!

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo by Roxyanne Young

Sarah Tomp has a MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

My Best Everything, a novel for young adults, will be published March 2015 by Little, Brown Books.

She is also the author of a picture book; Red, White, and Blue Good-bye (Walker Books for Young Readers).

Sarah teaches creative writing for University of California San Diego Extension. She reviews books for Bookbrowse.com and co-authors the blog, Writing on the Sidewalk.

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Short and Quick: Kestrel is an intelligent strong-willed girl who doesn’t like her options in life and is determined to try to find a way to lead the kind of life she’s dreamt of. Little did she know she’d fall in love with a slave with secrets and a mission of his own.

Favorite Quote: “He lifted her up onto the table so that her face was level with his, and as they kissed it seemed that words were hiding in the air around them, that they were invisible creatures that feathered against her and Arin, then nudged, and buzzed, and tugged.
Speak, they said.
Speak, the kiss answered.”

My Thoughts: I love Kestrel’s character. She comes from wealth and is the daughter of a popular General, but she doesn’t let that change who she is deep down. She is pensive and strong-willed. She is unhappy with her life because she is realizing that her position has boundaries and certain expectations that she does not want to give in to. I love her courageous spirit as well. Especially when she is in a tough predicament towards the end of the book. Her spirit and tenacity makes her a wonderful heroine to read.

Arin……oh Arin. Why oh why must you be so intriguing?! Arin is a quiet guy who does what he’s told by his masters but who secretly has a plan of his own. What could it be? I was definitely intrigued by this character because although he’s quiet and defiant at first you just know he’s going to change people’s lives (in more ways than one).

The supporting characters were great too. I absolutely loved Jess (Kestrel’s best friend) and Ronan, Jess’ brother. Jess is so sweet natured and brings humor and happiness to Kestrel’s life. She is the sister Kestrel never had. Ronan is a flirt with a great heart who, if Arin hadn’t been in the picture, I would have wanted for Kestrel.

Although I’m used to fast-paced books (a la Lunar Chronicles) this book has a slower pace which goes perfect with the mood and serious theme of the book. The world building is wonderful and thankfully not overwhelming. Although it’s a slower pace, it’s definitely not boring! There are twists you really don’t see coming and there are serious scenes that I would not have expected from this book. A few more of my favorite quotes: • “She saw, yet again, that her friend's compliments were just bits of art and artifice. They were paper swans, cunningly folded so that they could float on the air for a few moments. Nothing more.”
• “Survival isn't wrong. You can sell your honor in small ways, so long as you guard yourself. You can pour a glass of wine like it's meant to be poured, and watch a man drink, and plot your revenge.”
• “My soul is yours,” he said. “You know that it is.”

Two cover reveals for Molly McAdams’ books in one day?! Say whaaaaat?!

TRUSTING LIAM by Molly McAdams

On-sale 6/4/2015

When Kennedy Ryan moves to California, she never expects to come face-to-face with Liam Taylor-the intriguing man she hasn’t been able to forget. Somehow Liam managed to get Kennedy to let down her guard for a single night of passion that ended up meaning more than it was ever supposed to. Accustomed to disastrous experiences with men, Kennedy shields herself before he can break down more of the carefully built control she’s clung to for the last four years. But every time she sees Liam, she feels her resolve weakening.

Liam Taylor has been asked to befriend his boss’s nieces. But what starts out as a reluctant favor ends up leading Liam to the only girl who ever slipped away before morning-a girl he thought he’d never find again. And now that she’s within reach, Liam’s determined to never let her go.

When a secret from her past tests their relationship, will they be able to cling to the trust Liam has worked so hard to build?

CHANGING EVERYTHING by Molly McAdams

On-sale 3/3/2015

Paisley Morro has been in love with Eli since they were thirteen-years-old. But after twelve years of only being his best friend and wingman, the heartache that comes from watching him with countless other women becomes too much, and Paisley decides its time to lay all her feelings on the table.

Eli Jenkins has a life most guys would kill for: Dream job, countless women, and his best friend, Paisley, to be the girl he can always count on for everything else. But one conversation not only changes everything between them, it threatens to make him lose the only girl who has ever meant anything to him.

When tragedy strikes his family and Eli is forced to reevaluate his life, he realizes a life without Paisley isn’t a life at all. Only now, he may be too late.

So what do you guys think?! Don’t they sound amazing?!!! Yup. We’re excited!

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Short and Quick: Holy shit balls. Yup. HOLY. SHIT. BALLS. This book has battles in space, in the dessert, on Earth…. everywhere! There’s romance, there’s humor, there’s adventure, and yes…. there’s heartbreak. This book does not disappoint!

Favorite Quote:“He froze, becoming stone still. As the hover climbed the hill to the palace, his shoulders sank, and he returned his gaze to the window. "She's my alpha," he murmured, with a haunting sadness in his voice. Alpha. Cress leaned forward, propping her elbows on her knees, "Like the star?" "What star?" She stiffened, instantly embarrassed, and scooted back from him again. "Oh. Um. In a constellation, the brightest star is called the alpha. I thought maybe you meant that she's...like...your brightest star." Looking away, she knotted her hands in her lap, aware that she was blushing furiously now and this beast of a man was about to realize what an over-romantic sap she was. But instead of sneering or laughing, Wolf sighed, "Yes," he said, his gaze climbing up to the full moon that had emerged in the blue evening sky. "Exactly like that.”My Thoughts: Where do I even begin?! Oh the feels!!! I thought I loved Cinder (the book) but man oh man did this book blow it out of the water! I feel like I can’t put my review into words…. so much happened… so much was brought to light…. so many obstacles were put in the characters paths yet they prevailed! (or have they…)

We begin the book with Cress, a shy and lonely Lunar who was the one that helped Cinder in the first book (she’s the one who reached out to Cinder and told her about Queen Levana’s evil plan). She is incredibly smart but emotionally immature and naïve because of her seclusion (those traits aren’t annoying on her though!). Ahhhh, I don’t want to give too much away but let’s just say she has a budding romance with a certain someone that I just hope realizes her worth before it’s too late!
Cinder’s storyline gets even more intense. She has an inner conflict regarding her Lunar powers and struggles with not wanting to use them but being put in situations where she has no choice but to use them. Her main goal in the story is trying to stop Queen Levana from marrying Emperor Kai but boy is it hard to do with all those darn obstacles getting in the way!
Scarlet and Wolf are just adorbs. Again, there’s heartbreak with them but I hope it gets resolved in the next book! It simply must! *stomps foot*

Captain Thorne…. oh Captain Thorne ♥. I LOVE his humor! His character really evolves in this book. You get to see his strength (both mentally and physically). I love how matter of fact he is and how he doesn’t let life get him down. Even when something seriously bad happens to him (sorry can’t say what….don’t want to spoil it!).
Kai on the other hand…. has annoyed me quite a bit throughout all these books. There are parts of him that I like… but… I want to shake him and tell him to grow some balls! I know he has a tough job but damn…

Overall I’d have to say this is my favorite book of the series! They just keep getting better and better. I can’t wait for the next installment, Winter, coming later this year. There’s also an ‘in between’ book/novella called Fairest (Lunar Chronicles #3.5) that is coming out this month and guess who it’s about…. Queen Levana! Woot woot!

Some more of my favorite quotes:
• “Captain?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think it was destiny that brought us together?"
He squinted and, after a thoughtful moment, shook his head. "No. I'm pretty sure it was Cinder.”
• “I promise, I will not let you die without being kissed.”
• “Maybe there isn’t such a thing as fate. Maybe it’s just the opportunities we’re given, and what we do with them. I’m beginning to think that maybe great, epic romances don’t just happen. We have to make them ourselves.”
• “But you are crazy.”
“I know.” She lifted a small box from the basket. “Do you know how I know?”
Scarlet didn't answer.
“Because the palace walls have been bleeding for years, and no one else sees it.” She shrugged, as if this were a perfectly normal thing to say. “No one believes me, but in some corridors, the blood has gotten so thick there's nowhere safe to step. When I have to pass through those places, I leave a trail of bloody footprints for the rest of the day, and then I worry that the queen's soldiers will follow the scent and eat me up while I'm sleeping. Some nights I don't sleep very well.” Her voice dropped to a haunted whisper, her eyes taking on a brittle luminescence. “But if the blood was real, the servants would clean it up. Don't you think?”

My reaction in gifs: Beginning:
(Because I couldn’t wait for this book! And then I started it and so much happened! And then so many feels!)

Middle:

End:
There’s a particular scene in the book that gets me giddy and yelling ‘Ohhhh damn!’ for the next book. The last quote above is part of that scene ;)

22 Bestselling YA authors reveal what went on behind the curtain in your favorite YA novels! From paranormal to contemporary, this collection features over 200 pages of ALL NEW CONTENT full of deleted scenes, extended endings, and more from the young adult series’ you love.

In this YA/NA crossover collection all of your favorite heroines are cashing in their VCards! YA just got steamy, sexy, and not afraid to go all the way!

Due to the graphic nature of some content, this collection is recommended strictly for mature readers.

Stories include excerpts and extended material--ALL NEW CONTENT featuring the following YA novels & authors:

The Grimoire Saga by SM Boyce

The Death Series by Tamara Rose Blodgett

Penny Black Trilogy by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Dirty Blood series by Heather Hildenbrand

The Mythology Series by Helen Boswell

Stories About Melissa Series by Bethany Lopez

Keegan’s Chronicles by Julia Crane

The Tate Chronicles by K.A. Last

Fragile Creatures by Kristina Circelli

The Spellbound Trilogy by Nikki Jefford

Judgement of the Six Series by Melissa Haag

A Dark Faerie Tale Series by Alexia Purdy

The Double Threat Series by Julie Prestsater

The Elsker Saga by S.T. Bende

Ovialell Series by Tish Thawer

The Runes Series by Ednah Walters

The Cornerstone Series by Misty Provencher

The Waiting Series by Ginger Scott

Forged Series by A.O. Peart

The Arotas Series by Amy Miles

Funeral Crashing Mysteries by Milda Harris

The Wolf Trilogy by M.R. Polish

The Good Girls Have Gone Wild!!

Don’t want to wait? Want a sneak peek NOW behind the curtain with these authors? Request access to the Champagne Room on FB, a private, VIP group where you’ll get excerpts, giveaways, and the dirty details about the VCards we’ve cashed in…in our stories, of course!

IMPORTANT: Book ♥ Soulmates Disclosure

In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, Book ♥ Soulmates would like everyone to know that the books featured / discussed on our blog were either provided to the reviewers by the publisher or the author for free OR were purchased by us. The ones we receive for free DO NOT influence our opinion of the book/author. -- Your Book ♥ Soulmates